Improvement in implements for harvesting corn



PgtenteiFebQlS, 1876.

WITNESSES m ma-taf- ATTORNEY ".PETERS. PHOTO UTHOGRAPHEE WASNINGTOIN. D, C.

-parts.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY BALL, SIMEON BALL, AND. GEORGE PENWARDEN, OF snrooron, ASSIGNORS 0F ONE-HALF, THEIR RIGHT TO GRATTAN A. MURRAY,

OF NEW LONDON, WISQONSIN.

IMPROVEMENT IN IMPLEME NTS FOR HARVESTING CORN.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 173,435, dated February 15, 1876; application filed October 20, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY BALL, SIM- EoN BALL, and GEORGE PENWARDEN, of

. that class of devices for cutting the standing.

stalks of Indian corn, which are] adapted to be worn on the foot of the operator, the

nature of which will be fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side view of our improved device applied to a foot. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of the device separately, and Fig, 3 is'a sectional view of In each of the views similar letters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts wherever they -occur.

A represents the cutter, which is formed on or aifixed to a sole-piece, B, so formed as to be readilyapplied under the sole of the boot or shoe of the operator, as shown by Fig. 1. G is'a toe' cap-piece, adapted to receive and embrace the toe of the boot; andD D are prox jections, formed on or aliixed to each side of the sole-piece B,'in position to bear against theopposite-edges of thesole of the boot, and

- keep the sole piece in correct position under the sole of the boot. E are loops or suitable connections, to which are attached side straps F, which pass up over the foot of the wearer, and between the loop G. of a central strap, G, one end of which is connected to the cap 0 by means of a loop or other suitable connection, G while at its opposite end the strap G, by means of the loop G embraces an ankle-strap, H. The cutter A is formed on or affixed to the sole-plate B in front of the cap 0, and is provided with a horn-shaped 6X1 tension, A which is sharped or formed with a knife-edge, A so as readily to sever the stalks when thrust against the same by the forward motion of the foot. I J

It will "be seen that the toe-pieceG not only receives the thrust and aids in securing the implement to the foot, but it also serves to protect the boot from wear, and to prevent injury-t0. the foot. It will be apparent that other devices may be employed for securing the blade A to the foot.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim isw 1. A corn-stalk cutter constructed with a blade, A, sole-piece B, toe-cap O, and projections D D, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a corn-stalk cutter constructed with a blade, A, -sole-piece B, toecap 0, and projections D D, of the side straps F, central strap G, and ankle-strap H, substantially as shown and described.

3. A corn-stalk cutter adapted to be worn upon the foot, constructed with a solepiece, 'B, andtoecap O, and a cutter, A, formed on y or affixed to and in front of the sole-piece B and toe-cap G, substantially as described.

4. A corn-stalk cutter constructed with a sole-piece, B, toe-cap O, projections D D, anda cutter, A, provided with a horlrshaped exten- HENRY BALL.

SIMEON BALL.

GEORGE PEN WARDEN.

Witnesses:

E. S. SHEPARD, E. A. SHARD. 

